The Association of Food Scientists and Technologist of India AFST(I), established in 1957, is India’s largest and only professional body for Food Scientists and Food Technologists. Head quartered within CSIR-CFTRI Mysore, AFSTI has 48 chapters and 5500+ members across India. AFSTI is dedicated to promoting the advancement of food science and technology in India. Our association brings together experts, researchers, academicians, and industry professionals who are committed to enhancing the quality, safety, and sustainability of the food processing sector.
The major objective of AFST(I) is to stimulate and advance knowledgebase on various aspects of Food Science and Technology by organizing National and International Conferences and bringing out technical publications including prestigious journals-Journal of Food Science and Technology (JFST) and Indian Food Industry Mag (IFl Mag). The association recognizes talent and excellence in the profession of Food Science and Technology by conferring various Awards and Fellowship.
AFST(I) membership is open to all food professionals engaged in academic, industrial & other related activities. It has a well- written constitution, which forms the backbone of guidelines by which the Head Quarters and Chapters are functioning through their elected Central Executive Committee (CEC) and Local Executive Committees (LECs) respectively. The election of Office Bearers to these committees, their powers and functions are part of the constitution. One of the fundamental duties of the Association is to bring together members on a platform along with the experts in the field not only from India but also from across the globe, along with the captains of the industries to share the commonalities of the cutting edge technology in today’s changing scenario. It is in this context that the Association organizes the annual conferences ICFOST, which is attended by a large number of scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs, and it hosts an international conference IFCoN once in every five years. The two journals, the Journal of Food Science and Technology (JFST) and the Indian Food Industry Mag (IFl Mag) are the flagships of AFST(I) activities. Receiving the Indian Food Industry Mag (Print copy) and online access code to Journal of Food Science & Technology (JFST) are being the privilege of an AFST(I) member.
CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), CSIR-CFTRI: Mysore (A constituent laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi) came into existence during 1950 with the great vision of its founders and a network of dedicated scientists and technologists who had perused in-depth research and development.
The mandate of the institute is to achieve food and nutritional security of the country through S&T interventions. The Institute has been in the forefront in generating quality human resource for the development of food industry. The spectrum of programs offered include post-graduation in Food Technology, Integrated M.Sc-Ph.D. in Nutrition Biology, Certificate Course in Flour Milling and Short-Term Training for Entrepreneurs & Industry personnel and innovative programs for start-ups and farmers. Over 250 students are pursuing their doctoral studies in food and allied subjects. Over the years, CSIR-CFTRI has brought out many innovative products and processes into the market in tune with the state-of-the-art R&D practices of the institute and the changing lifestyles of the consumers. Some of the pioneering efforts include development of infant foods, instant ready-mixes, parboiling of paddy, cultivation of spirulina, health and wellness food products. Societal interventions have been the hallmark of CSIR-CFTRI and large numbers of farmers have been empowered on affordable and sustainable methods for value addition to agri-commodities contributing to rural economy and testing of samples CSIR-CFTRI has also established an Incubation Centre for nurturing start-ups and innovative ideas in the area of food and nutraceuticals.
Defence Institute of Biodefence Technologies (DIBT), formerly known as Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), Mysuru, was established in 1961 under the aegis of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India. The institute was set up to meet the strategic operational requirements of the Defence Forces and provide logistical support in areas related to food supplies and diverse food challenges faced by the Army, Navy, Air Force, and other paramilitary forces. The R&D efforts at DIBT focus on designing and engineering lightweight, ready-to-eat rations that require no elaborate cooking or preparation in the field and remain shelf-stable for 6–12 months under varying climatic conditions. Through the dedicated efforts of its scientists, DIBT has successfully developed technologies to conserve, preserve, stabilize, design, and fabricate a wide range of Indian dietary food products that not only withstand extreme environmental conditions but also provide balanced nutrition and energy to maintain troop morale at all times. Over the years, DIBT has introduced a variety of food products tailored to the Indian palate, many of which have been developed using innovative, state-of-the-art technologies. These products are also suitable for large-scale commercial production by entrepreneurs and hold export potential. The institute has also pioneered the development of biodegradable packaging and cutlery as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics. Notably, DIBT has developed specialized food products with suitable packaging and delivery systems for ISRO’s Gaganyaan Programme and has supplied indigenously developed space foods for the NASA–Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station (ISS). Following the transition from DFRL to DIBT, the institute’s mandate has been realigned to focus specifically on bio-defence and military nutrition to support troops in critical environmental conditions. To meet these objectives, the institute has enhanced its processing and analytical infrastructure and conducts specialized training programs for the armed forces in military nutrition, supply chain management, food science and technology, and food microbiology.
National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Thanjavur is an Institute of National Importance functioning under the aegis of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India. NIFTEM-T has premier research and academic capabilities in the field of food technology and has been consistently ranked among the top agri and allied-discipline institutions in the country. NIFTEM-T provides services to different segments of the food processing sector, spanning innovation, consultancy, incubation, quality testing, outreach, and awareness. The Institute offers BTech, MTech and PhD in Food Technology. With excellent national and international networking, the institute is open for collaborations and partnerships.
CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Lucknow, a premier constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), was established on November 4, 1965. As Asia’s only dedicated research institute for toxicology, CSIR-IITR has emerged as a global leader in translational toxicology, with the guiding motto: “Safety to Environment and Health, Service to Industry.” Over six decades of impactful research have positioned the Institute among the top five globally in Food, Industrial, and Nanomaterial Toxicology. With more than 3,800 peer-reviewed publications and 25 national & international patents, CSIR-IITR has significantly contributed to the nation’s scientific advancement, regulatory frameworks, and industrial innovation. Its GLP-compliant and NABL-accredited laboratories provide critical analytical services to industries, government bodies, and public health agencies, ensuring safety, compliance, and technological excellence across sectors.
CSIR-IITR operates through three synergistic research divisions: FEST (Food, Drug & Chemical, Environmental and Systems Toxicology), which focuses on mechanistic and applied toxicology across diverse matrices; ASSIST (Analytical Sciences & Services, Industrial Support through Technological Solutions), which delivers industrial support, technology translation, and stakeholder engagement; and REACT (Regulatory and Computational Toxicology, Epidemiology & Bio-statistics), which specializes in predictive toxicology & regulatory compliance. These divisions collectively drive the Institute’s mission to deliver implementable, evidence-based solutions for human, animal, and environmental health. CSIR-IITR actively contributes to national missions such as the National Mission for Clean Ganga, the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Aroma Mission, Castor oil Mission, Phenome India, Millet Mission, Deep Ocean Mission and the One Health Mission, offering scientific inputs, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies that align with national priorities.
The Institute employs a diverse range of model systems, including in vitro human and animal cell lines, in vivo models for toxicity assessments, & alternative organisms like zebrafish, Drosophila & C. elegans for high-throughput screening. It also utilizes computational platforms for QSAR modeling and molecular docking. To foster innovation, CSIR-IITR offers two incubation platforms: BIRAC-BioNEST and CRTDH. BioNEST provides a multidisciplinary ecosystem for start-ups in health, environment and agro-biotech, offering access to advanced instrumentation. CRTDH supports early-stage ventures with research and product development services
CSIR-IITR is a national hub for toxicology education, offering PhD and postdoctoral training through AcSIR, along with short-term courses for regulators and industry professionals. It supports workforce development in line with the Government of India’s Skill India Mission through the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative Programme, thus enhancing employability in science and technology. Additionally, CSIR-IITR promotes scientific literacy and inspires future generations through Jigyasa. CSIR-IITR’s flagship Program, TATTVA (Translational Approaches To Toxicology Via Awareness), aims to simplify toxicology for the public, students, and stakeholders by making complex scientific concepts more accessible.
CSIR-IITR serves as a GLOCAL Centre of Excellence, integrating global standards with local needs to address toxicological challenges. The Institute promotes Research for Development (R4D), which includes Research, Development (with stakeholder input), Demonstration, Delivery, and Digitization, ensuring that scientific work leads to real-world impact. Through collaboration, partnerships, & a commitment to excellence, CSIR-IITR remains a key player in advancing toxicology, public health, and environmental safety.
